Electric switch



H.v W. LYON ELECTRIC SWITCH Nov. 5, 1929 Filed Nov. 5: 1927 V m w. D/ fla:

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j w m bg v Fer- 22 His Attorneg Patent ed Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE HENRY w. LYON, or ERIE, mam:s m'ranm, 'nssxonon T GENERAL ELECTRIC cou- PANY, A conromrron or NEW YORK ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed- November 5, 1927. Serial No. 231,359.

This invention relates to electric switches, particularly of the knife blade type, and has for itsprincipal object the-provision of an improved knife blade switch particularly adapted for heavy current duty and also suitable for dead front switchboard mounting. However, the simplified and relatively inexpensive construction of the improved switch of the present invention renders it advantageous for a wide field of application.

With a knife blade switch of large current carrying capacity, a relatively large force is required to open and close the switch due to the heavy frictional engagement of the switch blade with thecooperating contacts. Also where the knife blade switch is to be used in a switchboard ofthe dead front type, the necessity for effectively insulating the operating mechanism from the switch blades arises. These difficulties are effectively overcome-by the present invention in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner.

Briefly, in accordance with the preferred form of the present invention, the blades of the switch. are sector shaped copper plates pivoted at the apex of the sector with gear, teeth out in the peripheryof the sector blades. The operating mechanism for the switch ineludes a small pinion gear preferably of insulating material, adaptedto mesh with the teeth on the periphery of the sector shaped switch blades. Thus rotation of the small pinion gear provides a powerful operating force for opening and closing the switch. In addition, with the gear formed of insulating material the operating mechanism is eflectively insulated from the switch blades. This improved construction also readily permits any desired number of switches to be located one behind the other and operated by means of a common shaft provided with an operating gear pinion for each switch.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a preferred form of switch embodying the in vention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a three pole, double throw switch for heavy duty service and dead front switchboard panel mounting. Fig. 2 is a front view of the switch with the switchboard panel removed to more clearly reveal the arrangement of the sector switch blades, the cooperating fixed contacts and the operating pinion. Fig. 3 isa side view of the switch shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the improved switch comprises the three movable blades 10, 11, 12, which upon rotation of the shaft 13 by means of the operating hand wheel 14 are operated through the agency of the gear pinions 15, 16, 17 meshing with the teeth provided on the periphery of the corresponding switch blades. In the preferred form shown each of the switch blades 10, 11,.12, is composed of two sector shaped copper plates spaced apart sufiiciently to engage snugly with the co- (iperating stationary contacts as indicated in As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the sector switch blade is pivotally mounted at its apex upon the contact lug 18 secured to the base 19 with the two plates of the blade firmly pressed into good current conducting contact with thelug by means of the bolt 20 and the spring washers 21. The switch blade 10 is operable into engagement with either of .the cooperating stationary contacts 22 and 23 mounted on the base 19. The spacing of the two'plates forming the switch blade 10 is such that the stationary contacts are engaged therebetween with a good current-conducting contact. The springs 24 serveto maintain the two blades in engagement with the contacts. Suitable conductor cable connections areimade to the-stationary contacts 22 and 23 and also the lug 18, as indicated in Fig. 2. The switch blades 11 and 12 are each mounted at their apex upon 2. lug corresponding to the lug l8 and cooperate with stationary eontacts corresponding to the contacts 22 and 23 except that the blade 11 had only one elongated stationary contact 23.

- As indicated in Fig. 1, the base 19 with the movable switch blades and the stationary contacts thereon is mounted behind the switchboard panel 25 through which the end of the operating shaft 13 extends to receive the operating hand wheel 14. The other end of the shaft 13 is mounted in a suitable bearing 26 supported on the frame work 27 to which the base 19 is secured.

The operation of the switch will be obvious .45 able switch element having a toothed petion of the hand W eel 14 the pinion gears 15,

- 16, 17, carried by the shaft 13 in mesh with the teeth formed on the periphery of the sector shaped switch blades serve to rotate the blades into and out of engagement with the stationary contacts cooperating therewith..

Only a relatively small force is required to rotate the hand wheel 14 even though the switch blades are in firm frictional engagement with the stationary contacts and the pivot lugs. This is due to the mechanical leverage provided by the small pinions meshing with the teeth on the edge of the switch blade. It will be evident that simply by extending the base 19 and the shaft 13 additional switch blades and operating piuions therefor may be added as desired. Due to the insulating characteristics of the operating pinions 15, 16, 17, the operating shaft and the hand wheel 14 are efiectively insulated from the switch blades and the switch blades are insulated from each other.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electric switch comprising coopershaft having gear elements of insulating ma-.

terial in mesh with the teeth formed on the periphery of said pairs of blades for operating the same into and out of engagement with the cooperating stationary contact.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of November, 1927.

HENRY WV. LYON.

ating relatively movable current conducting members, one of said members having gear teeth formed therein, and operating means for effecting relative movement of the members including a toothed gear element in mesh with the teeth formed in said one movable current conducting member. 2. In an electric switch, the combination of a rotatably mounted switch element having an arcuate periphery, and rotatable means in engagement with the periphery of the member for operating the same.

3. In an electric switch, he combination of a switch blade of sector shape .rotatably mounted at the apex, and rotatable means engaging with the periphery of the blade for operating the same.

4. An electric switch comprising a movriphery, a stationary switch element cooperating therewith, and means for operating the i ty of sector shaped switch blades rotatably rotatable element into and out of engagement with the stationary element comprising a gear pinion disposed in mesh with theteeth 1n the periphery of said switch element.

5. An electric switch comprising a pair of sector shaped blades disposed in parallel s aced alignmentrand rotatably supported at t e apex, a stationary contact disposed to be engaged between said blades, and means for operatingthe blades comprising a rotatable of. v

6. An electric switch comprising a pluralimounted at their apexes' in spaced alignment and having gear teeth formed in the periphery thereof, a common operating shaft member engaging with the periphery there- 

